Of Lighthouses, Gnomes and Prophets

One of my friends told me a humorous story last night. My companion and I visit her often. For a while now I've been meaning to ask her about a gnome that stands protectively aside her doorstep. I finally did.

My friend said the gnome is used as a marker so her dog—Tuffy—doesn't get lost. When the gnome is not in place, he simply cannot remember which apartment is his.

I was reminded of the lighthouses which stand authoritatively atop the rocky coasts of the Eastern Seaboard. Were there no lighthouses, ships would have a difficult time making it to shore in safety during the dark hours of the night.

Lighthouses point out dangerous cliffs, reefs and obstacles. Amid many apartments, my friend's gnome marks the correct apartment, providing an innocent dog a way to return home in safety.

Thomas S. Monson

God has provided us a living prophet who serves to do these same things: warn us of danger and show us the right way. God's prophet today is Thomas S. Monson. I'm grateful that he receives counsel and direction from our loving Father in Heaven, who does not intend for or desire to see any of us fail. Our Father in Heaven's purpose is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (see Moses 1:39).

When we follow the prophet, we can rest assured we are in the right path. We will still face obstacles, but our journeys will be unencumbered by the onerous effects of sin.